Attitudes Toward Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Among Non-competing Athletes in Various Types of Sports – A Cross-sectional Study –

Abstract

Methods Aims: This study investigated the association between attitudes and intentions to use of anabolic - androgenic - steroids (AAS) between participants in various sports and within sports. Data were derived through a cross - sectional population based survey on 5,010 men and women aged 15 to 60 years. Response - rate was 34%. A combination of postal and web-based questionnaire was used. Data for the present study was restricted to 1,045 males. Results: Prevalence of AAS use was 23 (1.8 %), and 104 (5.3 %) of the respondents had considered AAS - use. On average, respondents that had considered using AAS held more positive attitudes toward AAS - use, compared to respondents without experienced within all types of sports. The biggest difference between considered and non - experienced was observed for Aerobics (1.09 CI, 0.76 - 1.41, R2 = 0.23, p = 0.000). No difference in attitudes to AAS - use between types of sports were observed. Conclusions: Attitudes toward AAS did not vary between types of sports and the level of acceptance was consistently higher among non - competing athletes with intentions to use AAS, regardless of the type of sport. The implication of the observations suggests that preventive actions against AAS use should revolve around individuals suggesting interest in AAS regardless of type of sport.